Free Income Tax Preparation

Guest Author - Maria Brown

When tax season comes around, everyone starts looking for the best place to file. For some people, it's about finding the place that will get you the biggest refund. However, many of us may not have the money needed to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Donít despair! There are numerous places you can turn to for help! Here are a few options for filing your taxes for free:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Ė VITA

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) can help prepare your taxes for you, at no charge. The program is made up of volunteers from different organizations that have been specially trained to prepare basic tax forms. VITA primarily assists low-moderate income individuals at various locations all over the country.

To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-906-9887

Free File

You can Free File online at the IRSí website. Everyone is eligible to Free File however you must have an Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less to file your taxes with the Free File software online. Even if your Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $57,000, you can still use Free File with all of the free forms offered online at the IRSí website. With this option, you are also able to e-file for free as well.

If you have additional questions about Free File, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

TurboTax Online Free Filing

If you are planning on using a 1040EZ, TurboTax offers free online filing. If you have a simple tax return, TurboTax Free Edition might be for you.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly - TCE Program

Trained volunteers from different organizations will help you complete and file your income taxes if you are 60 or older. The TCE program is made up primarily of retired individuals representing different non-profit companies.

For more information on TCE, call 1-800-906-9887

H&R Block

H&R Block offers free online tax preparation. From their website you can complete basic income tax forms at no charge. When you are completed, you can efile for free or your can print the completed forms out and mail them in. The choice is yours.